URP aspirants in Mandera County are hoping to win votes on the premise of accountable and sound management of local resources.

An alliance of party aspirants led by Captain Ali Ibrahim Roba, who is vying for the county governor seat, is promising to reign on graft to ensure public resources are not embezzled.

“I am a firm believer that talented and responsible people should be in charge of the running of the county government. The county has historically suffered due to mismanagement and wanton graft,” Roba said.

He spoke during the alliance’s campaign tour in Mandera and Takaba. He said despite the challenges, the county will be an economic powerhouse in the first 10 years of devolution.

“My plans are to nature a sense of self reliance within the county through building of structures and systems intended to move the county forward,” he said.

Roba said that together with the Jubilee Alliance, his leadership would heavily invest in large scale irrigation to exploit River Dawa to tackle food insecurity.

“Currently, the river is underutilised and irrigation schemes will be initiated to benefit communities on the basin”, he said. He promised he would preside over a fair system of distribution of resources to residents benefit without prejudice. The URP alliance aspirants includes Omar Mohammed (Deputy Governor aspirant) Billow Kerrow for Senator, Shabaan Issack for Lafey parliamentary seat and Farhiya Mahabub for women representative.

Roba said they chose URP because the party committed to tackle problems facing Mandera residents should the Jubilee alliance form the next government.

During a mid week campaigns in Mandera, Jubilee Alliance running mate William Ruto said they would tackle infrastructure challenges in Northen Kenya to spur economic growth.

“We will ensure the extension of the Moyale Road to Mandera to reduce transport costs. The cost of cement in Mandera is about Sh1,400 while the same is Sh800 in Nairobi and other parts of the country because of bad roads,” Ruto said. Ruto also said the Mandera Institute of Technology would be upgraded to a university to ensure access to higher learning in the county. He also said that the alliance’s government would construct an international airport to facilitate the export of livestock products to markets in the Middle East.

Roba, on the other hand, said if elected, his administration would be inclusive. “We are in discussion with all the clans in the county to ensure everyone is on board,” he said.